Voters in the Allan Hancock Joint Community College District on Nov. 3 will decide whether to approve a $290 million bond measure to fund repairs, upgrades and modernization projects at campus facilities.
If approved, the measure would authorize up to $290 million in general obligation bonds for projects at Allan Hancock College.
That would translate to a tax rate not exceeding $19 per $100,000 of assessed valuation — not the market value — for properties in the district. For example, a property assessed at $500,000 would see another $95 added to the tax bill each year to repay the bond.
Proposed projects include repairing and upgrading aging classrooms, laboratories and career training facilities; repairing or replacing deteriorating roofs, plumbing and electrical systems; removing hazardous materials from older buildings; and upgrading facilities to meet current health, safety, accessibility and technology standards.
“Allan Hancock College has served our communities for more than a century by providing affordable higher education, career education and workforce training opportunities that help students achieve their goals close to home,” Superintendent/President Kevin Walthers said.
“As our facilities continue to age, it is important that our community has the opportunity to consider how we maintain and modernize the classrooms, laboratories, career training spaces and infrastructure that support student success. This action allows voters to make that decision.”
The measure would need 55% voter approval to pass. If approved, the community college district would appoint an independent citizens oversight committee.
Hancock officials said a local bond would make the district eligible to receive more than $38 million in state matching funds.
The board adopted a resolution noting that some classrooms “were built so long ago that they have asbestos, mold, and do not meet current earthquake safety standards.”
The funding plan also calls for building a university center on the Hancock campus to offer local four-year bachelor’s degree opportunities through partnerships with Cal Poly and California State University, Channel Islands.
Bond proceeds cannot be used for administrator salaries, pensions or other operating expenses.
The Hancock district includes the Santa Maria, Lompoc, Santa Ynez and Cuyama valleys.
While most of the district sits in north Santa Barbara County, some properties in southern San Luis Obispo County and northeastern Ventura County also are within the boundaries.
Voters last approved a $180 million bond measure, known as Measure I, in 2006. That led to a number of projects, including the Fine Arts Complex and Student Services Center on the Santa Maria campus, plus the Public Safety Training Complex at the Lompoc Center.